CHAPTER ONE
***
The sky was painted bloody as the sun set. The glowing orb fell into the ocean as time progressed. Light flared as it reflected off two steel blades. A lone figure stood on the beach, holding the twin blades. The figure’s lips formed the words of an old duelist’s chant.
“Twixt each blade
Lies a stroke of luck.
Twixt each strike
Lies a stroke of luck.
The duelist’s way,
Not to maim
Nor strike in anger
Never lame.
It is the duelist’s way.”
The silhouette kneeled as if in prayer, rapiers crossed, blades resting on each cheek. Pointed ears showed slightly above the jet black hair. Two slits of glowing sapphire appeared in the ever growing darkness. Suddenly, the bloody light flashed as the rapiers sliced through the air, whistling as the wind passed by the steel. The elf stood, hands grasping the hilts loosely. Her lips formed a confident smile. Her sapphire eyes blinked only once as she continued her practice. The blades continued cutting the air as she moved down the twilight cloaked beach, her feet dancing in clouds of sand. Her rapiers suddenly stopped. She sat down hard on the sand, sweat rolled into her eyes, but she stayed still.
The elf lady sheathed both rapiers in unison. She checked her belt and pack, then gathered her cloak in the dark. She fastened the clasp and tied the straps of her pack to her shoulder so that the bulk swung down to the opposite side. She stood and walked slowly back down the dark beach, the sunlight had gone from the shores. As she traveled down the beach, she bit into a polished red apple, not letting the juice be wasted.
She continued her meal as she stepped onto a dirt road, her black boots making only the slightest sound. She threw the core to the side of the road and watched a rabbit come out of hiding. She smiled to herself as she glanced back at the white rabbit. She looked up ahead and found the empty blackness of night. Even on a clear night as this, the elf was wary of all around her.
As the night progressed to midnight, the elf kept up her fast paced walk, not bothering to stop for rest. Her sapphire eyes glowed dimly as she reverted to night vision. She glanced up at the sky and marveled at the stars that were scattered in the blackness, like white snowflakes on a panther’s backside. She looked back to the road, barely missing a pothole. She held her breath as she nearly slipped.
She placed her pack on the ground and let exhaustion take over as she entered a small clearing in the woods surrounding the path. She mustered the strength to utter a few words.
“Elanrae, I summon you.” Her voice was barely audible above the songs of the night creatures. A dark mist rose from the ground and collected into a form. In it’s place stood the most majestic feline Saipire, who’s name meant Sapphire, had ever seen. Elanrae was a panther. She was a magical being and the only magic Saipire ever came to use.
“Ah, Elanrae. Will you do me the honor of guarding my sleep?” The female cat purred in response. “Good girl.” Saipire spoke softly to her friend before her eyes closed in sleep. The black panther let her elfin friend’s arms curl around her thickly muscled neck and sat a silent guardian.
The panther watched the surrounding area, every muscle tense with anticipation. The hunter’s golden eyes darted around, taking in her new surroundings. A stick that broke called Elanrae’s attention. She wriggled from Saipire’s hug and made sure the elf was comfortable. She darted out into the dark woods surrounding the camp.
****
A scream woke Saipire a short time later. Rapiers appeared in her slender hands. She relaxed when she saw Elanrae padding into the camp dragging an unconscious creature behind. She smiled and sheathed the swords. Her black pony-tail shook as she nodded to the panther. Elanrae dropped the creature’s limp figure, but continued to mouth the hand of the creature until Saipire raised an eyebrow. The hunter dropped the hand and moved to her side. Saipire made a fire and took a good look at the fainted figure. She studied him and found, in fire’s light, that the stalker was a small human child. She nursed the boy until he began to stir. She placed a small stone pot over the fire and began preparing some breakfast. She watched the light of day return to the dark world. She stirred the contents of the pot, allowing Elanrae to curl up beside the golden haired child. The panther nudged the boy and placed herself under his chin.
When the boy awoke, Saipire motioned to Elanrae to come to her side. The child trembled in fear as he laid his blue eyes on the rogue pair. When he gained enough courage to speak, he asked a simple question.
“Who are you?” Saipire placed a wooden bowl next to the boy. She smiled calmly at the boy.
“Eat up, child.” The little boy reached for the stew, but stopped, uncertain if it was poisoned. Saipire shook her head and took her own bowl. She picked up a crude spoon and ate. The boy’s hunger took over and he eagerly grabbed the vegetable stew, nearly choking on a bit of carrot.
“Who are you?” The boy asked again, “And why are you here?” His slightly high pitched voice quavering.
“I could ask you the same question, child.” Saipire never looked up from her stew as she spoke. She was calm and collected, her harmonious voice the same. Finally, she looked up through her black hair that fell from her up-do. She awaited the child’s answer.
The boy took courage and answered, but unnerved because he felt the deep blue eyes boring into him, filled with curiosity, “I’m Ty, son of Bergun the Brave! I came through the forest seeking adventure,“ he stated boldly.
“Before dawn? Ty, I’m sure that your father would not approve.” Saipire raised an eyebrow at Ty, “But I’m pleased to meet you, I am Saipire, professional swordsman.”
“What are you doing here, Saipire?”
“No, please, call me Sapphire. To answer your curiosity, I am a rogue, I travel aimlessly. The road is my home, Elanrae here is my only companion. I am just passing through,” Saipire answered, “Where do you live, young one?”
“Down the pathway, I live in the village.” Ty was trying to strike a fearless and heroic pose when he was terrified by Elanrae jumping onto him. Saipire chuckled. Elanrae rasped her tongue across his face once.
***
Saipire motioned to the boy to be quiet after a twig cracked. Elanrae’s ears perked up, looking for the new arrival. A short man and a bearded woman walked into the clearing. The man was a fat, jolly sort, with greasy brown hair, a red beard, and deep green eyes. The woman beside him was slightly less stocky and had dark hair, a red beard, and blue eyes that were trained on her adopted son.
“There ye are, Ty! I thought we lost ye for good this time!” The dwarf woman’s voice was stern, but motherly. The other dwarf stayed silent as his wife and son talked. He watched the rogue pair. He shuddered visibly when his eyes locked with Saipire’s. Elanrae sat still, sensing no threat from the pair.
“Oh, mum, I met a new friend tonight!” Ty exclaimed wildly as he remembered Saipire.
“Who might that be?” Ginger, Ty’s mother, asked. She was surprised to see Ty pointing at an elf who sat, silently observing the reunion.
“This is Saipire, and my new buddy, Elanrae!” Ginger looked the ragged rogue elf. She was shocked when a black panther curled around the elf, seemingly trying to protect her master.
“Welcome to my campsite. I believe that you are Ginger, and he is Bergun?” The elf spoke, her harmonious voice calm and pleasant.
“Ye are trespassing on our territory, elf!” The man bellowed, trying to sound frightening. The elf stood, to Ginger’s surprise, and shouted with an intensity that matched Bergun’s.
“Keep yer territory, dwarf!” She mimicked the dwarf’s accent perfectly, but then added softly, “I cause no harm to anyone. I am just passing through.” Bergun was obviously impressed and opened his thick arms wide.
“Welcome, elf, to me homelands!” He shouted, his deep voice echoing in the clearing. Saipire did not flinch as the sound reached her sensitive ears. She bowed in respect to the dwarf lady, refusing any offers to stay overnight.
“You do not know my routine at night, Ginger and Bergun, it is dangerous for anyone to approach me during the night hours,” she explained to the crestfallen dwarves. “But I can stay for dinner.” She smiled as her new-found friends cheered, but then she turned to Elanrae, who was lying with her ears back. She whispered something to her and the great cat purred. Elanrae soon vanished in a cloud of gray smoke.
